General Contractor 101: The Blueprint for a Successful GC Business

Many trade professionals learn how to be a General Contractor through the School of Hard Knocks. That tuition is usually paid through underquoted jobs, scope creep, tax surprises, and exhausting client disputes that quietly destroy profit margins.

Contractors of Colorado’s GC 101 is a 4-week, intensive program designed to help you skip that expensive learning curve. This isn’t just a class, it’s a hands-on workshop built to move you from working for a paycheck to running a professional, defensible, high-value general contracting business.

Meet Your Instructor: Matthew Pennington

Success in the field doesn’t automatically translate to success in the office. To bridge that gap, you need a mentor who has seen the industry from every angle.

Matthew Pennington, Contractors of Colorado’s Director of Education, brings over 20 years of field experience as a former General Contractor and professional inspector. He offers a true 360-degree view of construction, from breaking ground to the final code inspection.

Since early 2025, Matthew has helped a new wave of Colorado contractors earn their credentials through our Exam Prep Program. Now, he’s channeling decades of hard-earned business intelligence into GC 101 to ensure you don’t just get licensed, you build a business that lasts.

The Core Pillars: What You Will Master

We’ve stripped away the fluff and focused on the 16 hours of training that actually move the needle for your bottom line:

Defensible Estimating
Stop guessing. Learn how to build estimates that protect your profit and hold up under scrutiny. You’ll review real-world examples of cost-plus, at-risk, and time & materials estimates, so you understand when and how to use each model.

Blueprint Reading, Scheduling & Permitting
You’ll work directly with example plan sets in class, learning how to interpret drawings, sequence work properly, and build schedules using Gantt charts with critical path flows. We also walk through a real Denver County permit application, so municipal red tape doesn’t slow you down.

Contracts, Change Orders & Legal Protection
Most contractors don’t lose money because they’re bad builders, they lose it because their paperwork is weak. In GC 101, you’ll work with:

• A fillable AIA-compliant prime contract
• A fillable AIA-compliant change order
• A copy of an AIA-compliant Mechanic’s Lien, plus step-by-step instructions on how and when to file it

This is about protecting your time, your scope, and your cash flow.

Insurance, Risk Management & Subcontractor Control
Learn how to shield your personal assets, manage liability, and properly structure relationships with subs. You’ll receive:

• Fillable 1099 forms for subcontractors
• Standard AIA subcontract agreements you can actually use
• Clear guidance on managing subcontractor risk the right way

Taxes & Business Structure for GCs
We break down real examples of self-employment and SE taxation, including the required forms so you understand what the IRS expects and how to avoid painful surprises.

Client Relations & Professional Presence
Master the “soft skills” that allow you to charge premium rates, manage expectations, and confidently lead client conversations without giving work away for free.

Growth Marketing
Build a simple, repeatable lead-generation engine so you aren’t constantly scrambling for the next job and can start choosing higher-margin projects instead.

What’s Included in Your Enrollment

For your $1,999 investment, you aren’t just getting lectures, you’re walking away with a business-in-a-box toolkit:

• 16 Hours of In-Person Instruction
  Direct access to Matthew Pennington for Q&A, real-world examples, and troubleshooting.

   

• GC Resource Pack, including:

   

  • Fillable AIA-compliant contract
  • AIA-compliant change order template
  • Mechanic’s Lien template + filing instructions
  • Example estimates (cost-plus, at-risk, T&M)
  • Gantt charts with critical path schedules
  • Example plan sets used in class
  • Denver County permit application
  • 1099 forms and AIA subcontract agreements
  • SE taxation examples and required IRS forms

     

• Marketing Playbooks & Checklists
  Proven tactics, strategies, and resources to start building momentum with your marketing and sales efforts.

   

• Networking
  Connect with a cohort of like-minded Colorado professionals who are leveling up—and may become future collaborators or referral partners.

Who Should Attend?

This program is designed for professionals who understand their trade but are still figuring out the business side of being a General Contractor.

You should attend if you are:

The Newly Licensed GC
You have the license, but the business feels like a house of cards. You want to set up contracts, systems, insurance, and compliance correctly from day one.

The Early-Career GC
You’ve been running jobs for a year or two but feel stuck in survival mode. You’re ready to move from taking every job to choosing profitable ones.

The Lead Carpenter or Foreman
You’ve spent years on the tools and are ready to transition into leadership, but need estimating, scheduling, and office skills to make the jump.

The Specialty Subcontractor Leveling Up
You run a successful plumbing, electrical, or roofing business and want control over schedules, margins, and project direction.

The Remodeler Battling Scope Creep
If “just one more thing” is eating your time and profits, this program shows you how to lock down scope and protect yourself contractually.

The Real Estate Investor or Developer
You want to oversee your own projects and better vet subs, budgets, and timelines.

Schedule & Location

Dates: Saturday Afternoons — March 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: 9044 Forsstrom Drive, Lone Tree, CO 80124
Investment: $1,999

Secure Your Seat

Space is intentionally limited to ensure a high-quality, interactive experience for every attendee.